The arrival of the pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847,
has given many a reason to celebrate year after year. Even outside of Utah
many gather to celebrate the arrival of the pioneers.

Photo by Troy Dye

Youth and leaders from the Chubbuck Idaho Stake gather at the Bannock County Fairgrounds in Pocatello, Idaho, to re-paint the bleachers in preparation for the upcoming Pioneer Day celebration on July 18. In an hour and a half the group used 50 gallons of paint and nearly finished the 2,000 feet of grandstands.

With a large pioneer celebration planned for July 18 in Pocatello,
Idaho, neighboring stakes were encouraged to do some kind of service
activity that would give back to the community.

With the encouragement, the Chubbuck Idaho Stake stepped up to the plate
on June 30. Quarterly, the stake usually has a special project on each
fifth Tuesday. They have done service activities such as picking up rocks
at the Church farm and cleared weeds and brush from community hiking and
walking trails.

Looking at the calendar and noticing their next project would fall at
the end of June and also remembering that the Pioneer Day celebration
wasn't too far off, plans were made to focus on the Bannock County
fairgrounds.

Photo by Troy Dye

Youth and leaders from the Chubbuck Idaho Stake gather at the Bannock County Fairgrounds in Pocatello, Idaho, to re-paint the bleachers in preparation for the upcoming Pioneer Day celebration on July 18. In an hour and a half the group used 50 gallons of paint and nearly finished the 2,000 feet of grandstands.

"For June we thought it would be a good time to do a project that might
benefit the Pioneer Day celebration. I knew the fairgrounds needed help and
I contacted them," said Norm Reece, first counselor in the Chubbuck Idaho
stake presidency.

After experiencing some budget cuts recently, the people in charge of
the fairgrounds were more than willing to receive the service. They
provided 50 gallons of paint and all the buckets and brushes needed to
paint the 2,000 feet of stadium bleachers.

"The aspect that was the most troubling was the bleachers. They hadn't
been painted in years and were decrepit looking," said Rich Kirkham, the
Pioneer Day Committee chairman.

Photo by Troy Dye

Youth and leaders from the Chubbuck Idaho Stake gather at the Bannock County Fairgrounds in Pocatello, Idaho, to re-paint the bleachers in preparation for the upcoming Pioneer Day celebration on July 18. In an hour and a half the group used 50 gallons of paint and nearly finished the 2,000 feet of grandstands.

Equipped with paint and other supplies, more than 200 youth and leaders
went to work.

After organizing the project, President Reece had one concern —
make sure those serving get more paint on the bleachers than on each other.

"Fortunately, we were able to do that," he
said.

Photo by Troy Dye

Youth and leaders from the Chubbuck Idaho Stake gather at the Bannock County Fairgrounds in Pocatello, Idaho, to re-paint the bleachers in preparation for the upcoming Pioneer Day celebration on July 18. In an hour and a half the group used 50 gallons of paint and nearly finished the 2,000 feet of grandstands.

He reported that the youth had a great time and kept most of the paint
where it belonged. It was a good thing too, because after painting for an
hour and a half the 50 gallons of paint was not quite enough to finish all
of the grandstands.

Regardless of not quite finishing, those involved with the project were
satisfied.

"We are really happy about the results of the project. 'Joy in the
Journey' is our theme and these little projects have given us joy," Brother
Kirkham said.

Many other projects have been performed to benefit the fairgrounds and
other community sites by wards, stakes and Eagle Scouts. Among other
projects, ticket booths were re-roofed, the concession stand was painted
and there have been various landscaping projects.

"There have been a lot of projects that have warmed our hearts that have
showed us the LDS people can step up," Brother Kirkham said.

The celebration will be kicked off with bike races and a fun run at 7
a.m. At 10 a.m., the parade will commence in which Elder Spencer J. Condie
of the Seventy will be the grand marshal. Everyone will then congregate to
the fairgrounds for activities from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration
will be wrapped up at Pocatello High School where the group Eclipse will
put on a concert at 7 p.m.

Among the fairgrounds activities are relay races, face painting and a
dunking booth. Admission is free. For more information on the Pioneer Day
celebration visit www.pioneerdaycelebration.com.